Oxfam applauds the passage of Foreign Aid Transparency and Accountability Act of 2015 (H.R. 3766), by the Senate, which will ensure American tax dollars do a better job of helping fight global poverty.
“The Senate unanimously approving this bipartisan legislation is a huge step in ensuring better transparency and accountability in foreign aid,” said David Saldivar, Oxfam America’s policy and advocacy manager for aid effectiveness. “We thank bill sponsors Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Sen. Ben Cardin (D-MD) and Reps. Ted Poe (R-TX) and Gerry Connolly (D-VA) for their continued leadership on ensuring US foreign aid supports local leaders on the front lines of the fight to end poverty.”
The Act will require agencies to evaluate their foreign assistance programs, and publish detailed data on investments in countries around the world. Under current law, it is too hard for American taxpayers and partner country citizens to see where aid dollars are being spent and how they are being used.
“In the tight budget climate of today’s world, we need to know that foreign aid is accountable to American taxpayers and open to scrutiny from citizen watchdog groups, media, and government partners around the world,” continued Saldivar. “We thank Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and Minority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) in supporting this legislation, and we urge the House to continue in the Senate’s path and pass the bill for executive signature.”
